Instant Gratification

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DOUGHBOYS
Posts: 13088
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:00 pm

Instant Gratification

Post by DOUGHBOYS » Tue Jun 26, 2018 8:43 am

We all love instant gratification.
Yesterday, after faabing Kiki Hernandez, he hit a home run in his first at bat in my lineup.
For us, this is instant gratification at its finest.
It's like walking into the DMV, with no lines.
It's like the wife meeting us at the door with nothing but a smile.
Or if single, it is like the pretty next door neighbor wearing the same as you ask her for a cup of sugar.

In our hobby, we seldom see instant gratification.
We draft for months before realizing how the players are going to perform.
For months we argue who is going to be a better pick, my Paul Goldschmidt or your Kris Bryant. Months later, we know we've both been had.
Most of us love our drafts because they're pristine.
No player has gotten injured.
No player has under performed.
We think the best of these players.
Then, a nasty thing happens.
The season starts.
The instant gratification we feel of Bryce Harper 'slipping' to us late in the first round is replaced by the remorse of his Adam Dunn-like numbers that we used to draft in the seventh round of older drafts.
(That expert told me I had drafted 'value' in getting Harper so late, Liar!)

We do not receive instant gratification from most of our lineups.
In fact, we suffer.
During the season, we will put our best pitcher in the lineup. He is due to throw Friday.
On Monday, his team goes into extra innings and uses him as a pinch runner.
A pinch runner!
Sitting in front of the television, you are dumbfounded that a Manager could put your best pitcher at risk.
You're tormented.
"Honey, are you ok, is your team losing?"
"No, I'm just watching this pinch runner they put in the game."
"Oh, is he really fast?"
"No, he's just faster than a catcher."
"Oh, then why are you watching an average runner?"
"BECAUSE HE'S THE BEST PITCHER ON MY FANTASY TEAM AND I'M WATCHING AS THIS DUMBASS MANAGER PUTS HIM AND MY WHOLE FANTASY TEAM IN HARMS WAY, THAT'S WHY!!"
"I'll get the Tums, Dear."

Ian Happ owners received instant gratification when the season began.
Thoughts of starting every game, even for Joe Maddon popped in their heads.
40 homers and 20 stolen bases, a real possibility.
It's the way we think.
Then, the season takes its toll and crushes our dreams.
Ian Happ will not play every day and be a boon to fantasy owners.
It will be the same for Kiki Hernandez.
BUT, we had instant gratification for a moment.
In season-long fantasy baseball, we're thankful to experience instant gratification even once a season
On my tombstone-
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!

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